Another go at "Ghosts of the Jungle"

In the interests of diverse game play I introduced my D&D group to Ghosts of the Jungle to see how these lads (RPG'ers, aka none mainstream wargamers) played it (see below, I was also experimenting with new novel markers [sourced from the random wood decoration department in "The Works" shop] - 'big feet' markers to say that a square had been entered, and as a "trail" marker [VC tracker to pick up, but teh method was a bit cumbersome]):

As I explained the rules, appropriate beverages [for the Aussies at least] were imbibed (see below, the exotic range of non-standard glassware down to what was left in the cupboard - aka stuff that teenagers like to drink their fizzy pop from): 

Sarge leads his troops off into the jungle and stops when he sees something suspicious. Is it a villager or VC? (see below, green squares are jungle vegetation hiding spots, red ones rural village houses, the warped cardboard sufficed as make-shift road [appropriate as it is a poor quality dirt track]): 

The gameboard gets a bit more complex as the VC and village encounters pose challenges for the strung out ANZAC patrol. The RPG'ers tried not to "shoot first and ask questions later" as the D&D "send the thief scouting forward" strategy came through in droves (see below, edging forward quietly and then ... the shooting started and all hell burst forth): 

Things looked bad as the SAS LRRP got trapped in a mathematical puzzle (insufficient actions to safelt do it and nobody wanted to get stuck in the middle) in trying to safely cross the road (despite all those scary 1970 BBC educational cartoons helping children to cross the road safely), but eventually they "reset" and went round the longer way (see below, the end result was a pile of VC [or are they really just innocent villagers] as the SAS exited safely off table):      

The RPG boys found the rules at first a bit of a challenge in understanding the [simple] game play, but their RPG problem solving skills ensured collaborative play so they got out alive and made devasting use of the "grenade" rule (when the VC attraction to noise makes them "clump" together). All-in-all a  nice diversion, but back to wizards, orcs and fireballs next time!

Platoon 20 - NVA Figures

Inspired by the recent series of "Ghosts of the Jungle" games I visited my silver pile of shame in the loft for Vietnam figures and found pretty much a whole platoon of NVA Regulars to paint up. They had been based and primed so it was just a matter of gritting your teeth and letting go with the Vallejo paints (see below, the finished product or rather formation):  

A labour of love that has took twenty years to finish. Given the old casting quality (as in poor) - I best not drop them too hard!

Apologies for no close ups!

Australian SAS in Vietnam - Painting Information: Notes To Self

As part of the gaming material needed for my "Follow the Bush Tucker Trail" at CoW 2023 I decided that I really had to paint some genuine Platoon 20 Australians in (as opposed to using some LRRP US types play their part). Perhaps there would be nothing to notice, but I would "know". 

Web Links: Inspiration was gained and sought from:

• https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=138996.0
• https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=b11e6959ca02c6d727b2c8eba5dbd65e&topic=46452.0
• https://www.scalemodellingnow.com/tbpainting-how-to-paint-135-bravo6-australian-sas-vietnam-war
• https://armedfigures.com/t/vietnam-war-australian-sas/2430
• https://www.onesixthwarriors.com/threads/phantom-of-the-jungle-australian-sas-in-vietnam.86309/
• https://www.pinterest.com.au/tonypenhale/sasr-australia-in-vietnam/

Painting Description - basically a Hodge-podge of Vallejo Model Colour greens with a Sand and Brown thrown in (read, listen and look at the above links) with copious amounts of black, brown and green washes and inks chucked in for good measure and satisfaction (see below, the jungle is dirty, sweaty and dangerous):

I hope this does the Diggers credit! Additional link and reference suggestions welcomed. 

Painting US Vietnam Infantry - My Platoon 20 Collection (PART 1) Notes to Self

Background: Sometimes I acquire a "collection of figures" over time rather than for a project, knowing that at a point in the distant future when a critical mass/event is attained they will be painted (when the stars align and the "painting interest bug bites"). That ably described the relationship I have with my Platoon 20 Vietnam figures. I collected them [along with plastic vehicles models and plastic helicopter models] when I could - knowing "their" time has would come (see below, first in line for action - a US Infantry Officer): 

Their time has come. The annoying thing about painting US Infantry in Vietnam is that it seems to be a futile exercise in painting various shades of green and then murkier green - everything seemed to fade and be stained differently. I am left with the feeling that "everything looks right and wrong at the same time", a bit like the war I guess.

The challenge for me is to make a distinct transition between the uniform and the webbing/flak jacket. It does seem to be a question of  "Which of the fifty shades of green is it today? I am currently bouncing around with variations on the following painting recipe: 

Uniform Tunic: Vallejo Model (924) Russian Uniform WWII [Base] with Vallejo Model (881) Yellow/Green [Highlight]

Webbing: Vallejo Model (887) Brown/Violet - although this seems to be a controversial choice in some quarters, as it may look too brown, with Vallejo Model (988) Khaki [Highlight]

Tunic and Webbing Wash: Vallejo Wash - Green mixed with Citadel Shade Nuln Oil, applied over all tunic/webbing area then repeat [Base] and then add [Highlight] -- Note: This step seems to make a real difference (++)

Flesh: Vallejo Model (927) Dark Flesh [Base] with Vallejo Model (955) Flesh [Highlight] - alternatively Vallejo Model (872) Chocolate Brown [Base] with Vallejo Model (983) Flat Earth [Highlight] 

Gun: Vallejo Model (950) Black [Base] and Vallejo Model (995) German Grey [Highlight] - plus additional Vallejo Game Gun Metal [Edge Highlight]

Boots: Vallejo Model (950) Black [Base] with Vallejo Model (995) German Grey [Highlight] although others would say that is far too neat and should be "dusty brown" reflecting all the trudging through the mud

Helmet: Vallejo Model (924) Russian Uniform WWII [Base] with Vallejo Model Yellow/Green [Highlight] although I have yet to experiment with the four colour camo helmet look ... using Vallejo Model colours [(983) Flat Earth, 50:50 (882) Middlestone and (833) German Camo Bright Green, (924) Russian Uniform WWII, (890) Reflective Green]

Useful "Painting Guide" video links discovered to date, both of which produce works of art, disturbingly opting for Brown rather than Green Flak Jackets (variety is the spice of life): 

• Rubicon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaeZFtxHL-c
• Wargames Soldiers and Strategy (WSS) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hi6kc5gi9s

Painting Templates (think they are Flames of War): 

• https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/831336412451931402/

Recon Modern Skirmish Rules (Vietnam)

Courtesy of eBay (while buying something else for another member of the family) I spotted a little known rule-set (Recon) that would pair with a speculative buy (Advanced Recon) I had bought ages ago - once upon a time in the late part of the twentieth century [aka certainly pre-2000] - from a game shop that has long since closed (see below):

Thus the wargaming circle is complete - aka  "I knew I had a reason to buy it". The US printed 'Advanced Recon' meets up with a copy of a UK licensed print copy of 'Recon' by the now defunct Platoon 20 figure manufacturers [once based in Northern Ireland]. Th extra bonus is that I have a collection of Platoon 20 Vietnam figures seeking a game (and I am pretty sure that the "Platoon 20 moulds" live on under the wing of another manufacturer). Again game-wise methinks this could be a 2020 affair but watch this space.

20mm BTR-80 Repair Job

"I tried not to scream" but this thing (BTR-80) fell from a very great height. I was getting from my the loft space a BTR-80 for a RPG session that 'my eldest son and friends were playing'. This in itself caused a lot of excitement for me, as it had started out as a Dungeons and Dragons session but then I was told it was really a "modern day RPG" session that needed tanks and stuff. I had already given them orcs, snotlings and wizards but as soon as they said they needed tanks I thought "that's my boy" and was up in the loft rummaging in my "20mm moderns". Sadly the hand-off between GM and myself, me in the loft and him on on the ladder, went awry and the BTR-80 fell (tumbling) down two flights of stairs - shattering and coming apart in a myriad of pieces on teh hard flooring. Externally I did not swear - internally is another matter. Thankfully "keen young eyes" managed pretty much to spy all the little pieces and I let them play on with a T-80 instead - much to the groans of the players and GM's delight (see below, these Del Prado die cast kits are cool as "instant" models but do suffer from sensitive wheel parts/suspension breaking. Two of the wheels had to get "milliput support"):

I thought .. "In for a penny, in for a pound" (see below, this should 99% be hidden in normal play so rather than having another wheel drop off, it seemed sensible that all eight got the 'milliput treatment'):

The final restoration job complete. As an extra touch I might "black/brown wash" the underside when the milliput sets (see below, lookout kids that T-80 tank now has some Mechanised Infantry in an APC as support):

It might be time to paint up some WARSAW PACT 20mm plastic troops as they happily "made-do" with my Platoon 20, WWII British Infantry and WWII German Revell Panzer Grenadiers! Perhaps the Terminator "resistance rebels" from the Warlord Games 28mm Terminator Game might be better for them!

Lt Pringle's "Bloody Battle for Maltot" (Chain of Command): Part 4

With the center lane of advance effectively blocked by deadly MG42 fire, it fell to Second Squad to "right flank" the German strong-point in the church. Sensing the danger the 'last German MG42 team' moved into a blocking position. Looking for an opportunity to counterattack the Germans gambled in trying to take out Second Squad before they had fully formed up. Unfortunately for them their bullets went high, producing only minor amounts of 'shock'. The British player then had a stroke of luck just when he (I) needed it, a "continuation"(another go) courtesy of good (lucky) command dice. Knowing they had two back-to-back goes, Second Squad confidently formed up for the attack (see below):

Second Squad first laid down some (moving) suppressing fire, getting very, very lucky with a KIA and NCO wound (see below):

Meanwhile Lt Pringle was calming the remnants of First Squad by removing their 'shock' markers (see below):

Second Squad got down to business. The Bren team stay eyed behind to provide covering fire but Sergeant Walker led his boys in screaming like a banshee, bayonetes fixed! Only to find "dead" Germans. The Bren team had popped the lot off rolling an incredible three kills (see below):

Smiling at his good fortune, Sergeant Walker regroups Second Squad as Lt Pringle leads his First Squad men lush Second Squads Bren team "left flank" under cover of the ubiquitous "two inch" mortar's smoke barrage in the good old fashioned, traditional British Army way (see below):

Faced with a developing pincer movement the Germans called it a night. The German Commander was resigned to a life of captivity, however a young Landser pointed to the church crypt and explained it led through to the adjacent graveyard by means of a collapsed culvert. The position was thus abandoned to the Tommies.

Maltot fell a day ahead of schedule. 16 Platoon was recognised as a major factor in contributing to the success of the operation. Lt Pringle was mentioned in dispatches. There was some talk of a medal but the paperwork was lost in the hubbub created as the battalion moved on. His German counterpart was interviewed by Signal as a 'fanatical defender of the Reich' and was recommended for an Iron Cross. The rigours of the Normandy campaign meant that the cauldron was likely to consume him in the very near future.

A damn fine game!

Lt Pringle's "Bloody Battle for Maltot" (Chain of Command): Part 3

Fearing they were in danger of losing the fire-fight the German commander deployed another MG42 team to "suppress the British suppressing fire-team!" (If that makes sense) They took position in the church courtyard. The satuatory British response of smoke failed to cover its objective (see below):

Where smoke failed a Bren team succeeded. The total steadily rose to seven German dead. The Germans were now down to half effectives and with a wounded NCO to boot, things were looking rather bleak (see below):

At this critical moment the German Commander seeing his wounded comrade cradling a MG42 in his arms, but unlikely to make it back through the church door, plunged out into the maelstrom. Braving the incoming Bren fire he ran to his friend, tugging and heaving him to safety (see below):

Rather than admiring the bold courage of the heroic act the British Commander (me) coldly lamented a lost opportunity of finishing off the German "higher command" (war changes people I guess). The sense of this cold hearted logic was reinforced when together with two Landser reinforcements, the German officers re-manned the church steeple and pored deadly fire down on the British First Squad (see below):

Three men down in as many seconds. Lt Pringle was agog. From the cusp of victory the situation had spiralled out of control. Three dead and a squad nearly broken, the situation required desparate action (see below):

Lt Pringle raced forward and took control from Sergeant Hoops. The poor man was frozen in shock, half his men were already dead. As Pringle barked the order to retire, the MG42 spoke again, another British PBI fell and Pringle felt a sharp stinging sensation in his lower arm, his hand going numb with a curious tingling sensation that started to burn and hurt like hell. Swearing like a man possessed somehow Pringle extracted his men despite the zipping hornets of death zipping through the underbrush (see below):

How he had not been killed Pringle simply did not know, but the burst of Bren from the fire-base house brought him to his senses. There was still a job to be done. "Route one" was closed but Second Squad still stood a fighting chance to be able to 'flank right'. However yet another German squad armed with a MG42 barred the way.

Lt Pringle's "Bloody Battle for Maltot" (Chain of Command): Part 2

The FOO, Bombs, was quickly 'on net' and active, humming quietly to himself. The incoming rounds of MG42 were of little real interest. Jerry's shooting was off today, the bullets mostly passing harmlessly overhead. "How soon do you want it in Pringle old boy? You know we are technically danger close!" queried Bombs. "No point making a mess of it Bombs, take your time and bring it in steady, it's going to be a long, long day by the looks of it" answered Lt Pringle. The battery duly sent in a ranging round which landed spectacularly smack on target. "Corker and a bit of a pity" thought Bombs, "A 'fire for effect' would have beautiful!" Still smirking with satisfaction Bombs raised the receiver to his lips, but just before calling in the barrage he took one last peak through the binoculars for any last minute adjustments. He caught sight of the muzzle flash, but the bullet had already smashed through his brains before Bombs registered the danger. Barker Tango Five was off air, Lt Pringle witnessed the body's bloody recoil and flying bits of wireless set. He was alone, feeling a bloody fool for letting Bombs set up in a hot position, despite his initial foreboding, Bombs had thought it better to get in sooner rather than later. Never underestimate Jerry (see below, Bombs RIP skull counter):

The 'fire-base' kept up a constant dual with the MG42 team in the church steeple. The Brens were getting the better of it but a cry from a British rifleman confirmed that the traffic was not all one way (see below):

However "trade" had been far heavier back to the church, the MG42 fell silent with all the team dead, the floor slippery with the wet blood. The baseline Bren team turned its attention to the courtyard MG42 team taking up position (see below):

The British infantry pushed forward taking advantage of the lull in harassing fire (see below):

Lt Pringle had managed to return to the point where he had reached the day before. He knew he had to keep the pressure up on the Germans. Movement was the key (see below):  

So far the British had the best of it, however the potential of the MG42 to inflict devastating casualties always distilled caution into Lt Pringle. Already too many of 16 Platoon won't be returning home (other than in a box) because of this "disrespect".

Lt Pringle's "Bloody Battle for Maltot" (Chain of Command): Part 1

The familiarity of the Maltot tabletop was depressing. A sanguine Lt Pringle fumbled with the map. The smell of death lingered in the air. Lack of sleep and a nagging, hacking cough made the simplest of actions painfully slow. He couldn't help but stare at the big red brick building Sgt McCoy had died in, the news still seemed surreal. 16 Platoon's blood was up. The thought of the previous day's fumbled advance stung, but not as much as sight of the line of white crosses marking shallow graves. Already 16 Platoon's patrols were pushing forward towards the imposing Maltot church steeple, which in its battle scarred state looked more like a "bunker" than a place of worship (see below):

Lt Pringle's map reading had let him down badly so the jump-off positions were much further away from the church than he had hoped for. First squad deployed into a ruined French cottage giving them at least "hard cover" protection. Lt Pringle had agonized over his support decision, armour seemed a bad choice in the Maltot suburb, too many ambush points. A Vickers HMG was a tempting choice but as luck would have it Lt Pringle bumped into "Bombs" a FOO, the very one who had saved his bacon in his first real battle. Pringle had passed "Bombs" a bottle of liberated brandy and the two had finished it off last night. "Bombs" was in fine mood this morning, conscienciously running through his final equipment checks before joining 16 Platoon with a "three inch mortar battery in his back pack" (see below):

Second Squad with its still wounded NCO was deployed further back as the designated support group in the "fire base" house on the left side of the battlefield. The idea being to keep the church tower under constant harassing fire from a well aimed Bren gun bursts (see below):

"Bombs" was straight into the fray. The plan was to smoother the Church under a constant barrage of 3" mortars as the troops pushed forwards (three squadies had already rushed ahead to try and get to the next ruined house). So an inconspicuous figure with a pair of binoculars crouched in amongst with First Squad, nipping up the stairs to "get a better look at Jerry". He fiddled  with a mysterious black box and the air hissed with the crackle of static as he signed into the mortar battery (see below):

A small, but subtle movement in the Church Tower caught the attention of 16 Platoon's Bren guns. A burst of Bren fire from the fire-base drew first blood as a Landser fell, so far all was going to plan. The "Bloody Battle of Maltot" had resumed and the church steeped again was becoming a bullet magnet (see below):

"Bombs" brought a ranging shot smack down on the church, as third squad queued up behind the hard cover. It's Bren team was pushed forward into a firing position. With thre British Bren teams in place and only one dreaded MG42 firing back the fire equation seemed heavily stacked in the British favour. If the three inch mortars could be brought in, then this could turn into a "walk in the park" (see below):

The German Commander however had no intention of giving up so easily, his grim faced determination betrayed no fear, although they were aware of the enormity of the defensive task. All told there were only fourteen German ranks at the start of the game. Now they were down to thirteen with the prospect of a mortar barrage. Desperately he scanned for the tell-tale glint from a pair of spying binoculars. Nothing. The best the Germans could do was shoot up a house exchanging fire with them and hope for the best.

16 Platoon's PIATs get a Painting Revamp

The British Infantry 20mm (from Platoon 20) metals I have painted (see past blog posts) have fulfilled their wargaming destiny by at least getting "on table" for a Normandy "Chain of Command" wargame as (confusingly) 16 Platoon of the Wiltshires during the Maltot Campaign (scenario three).They performed admirably and I was lucky enough to roll such good dice as to get me out of all the 'jams' I put my lads in.

During the game there were some (painfully accurate) remarks regarding the shininess of "Platoon 16's" metal gun bits and in particular how the "PIATs and Mortar" should be painted "Green" and NOT "Gun Metal" (keep that for GW Space Marine "Bolters" I heard someone say, naming no names 'Mr Umpire'). So before scenario four of Maltot took place I decided to get 16 Platoon combat ready by 'dulling down' the bright things as we were no longer on the 'parade ground' and they were doing some real soldiering.

I applied Vallejo 'black wash' to anything shiny (see below):

I then painted the PIATs and three inch mortar Tamiya Olive Green (XF62) and added Tamiya Yellow (XF3)
for a highlight. I did add a feint highlight of Vallejo Gun Metal to the various bits "gun metal" equipment but in a much more toned down way than before (see below):

These boys will soon be pursuing the Germans through the contested streets of Maltot village. Watch this space!

1944 Late War British Infantry Project - Milestone (A completed Platoon))

Observe the last tortuous steps in this projects progression that started way back in 05/10/2009 (read down to the bottom of this list to see the first post) ...

Here they stand in their box newly "gritted" with PVA  glue and coarse building sand, beach sand and builders grit (see below):

The bases are then flooded with a dark ink wash to fill up the porous sand texture with a coloured liquid. This acts as a coloured undercoat for the further finishing process and detail (see below):

I quite like that newly wet mud look, shame as it does not last long (see below):

Once the ink has dried and sand is firmly fixed in place a quick rugged wet brush of Vallejo "Earth" is applied (see below):

Then follows a highlight of Vallejo "Earth" mixed with Anita's Acrylic "Lemon White", applied increasingly more with a dry than wet brush, increasing up the "Lemon White" content so the last brush is mostly 'white' (see below):

Using a mixture Vallejo "Gun Metal" and Anita's Acrylics "Silver" I highlight the metal parts. I followed this with a powder flock to add a bit of vegetation to the base (see below):

A few clumps of "Static Grass" for the final touch (see below):

The 3" mortar team (see below, top of photograph) and the ever faithful Vickers HMG team (see below, bottom of photograph):
 

The most useful 'offensive' toys on the table, the two inch mortar team (smoke makers). Two teams, one prone firing the other moving (see below, top and middle of the photograph). Below them is what I refer to as a "prone three man Engineer section with a mysterious box", the truth being I know not what the middle figure has in his hands or is supposed to be doing, suggestions on a postcard please (see below, bottom of the photograph):

Finally a few more squadies or NCO's (see below):

Pssst ... Don't mention the fact that they don't have any "Regimental Insignia" and NCO markings (yet) but I do formally declare "The odds and sods" finished and open for wargaming business, roll on the next game of "Chain of Command"

:)

British WWII Late War 20mm Platoon 20 PBI (Cont)

The fleshy parts have been added to the first batch of 'odds-and-sods' to finish (see below):

Getting there ;)

Finishing off those PBI "Late War" Platoon 20 British Infantry

At last a bit of progress with my Platoon 20 Late War British Infantry. I need these for all my planned future games of "Chain of Command". Therefore vital work for the war effort! 

The factory production line managed to put a shift in over the weekend. As a result the eighteen Platoon 20 figures still designated "WIPs" were all webbed up with "Khaki" and whiter highlights here and there, plus their boots were touched up with modest grey highlight (see below):

They are standard infantry poses (the eight at the back, see above and below), two sets of very useful 50mm mortar figures (middle, see above and below), crewmen for the bigger three inch mortar and three useful lying prone infantry figures destined to be PIAT assistants (see above and below):  

Next: The Fleshy Parts!

Painting Tray Update - 1944 Platoon 20 Tommies

As promised, next mini-project on top of the painting table is the Platoon 20 1944 British Infantry collection. Just a case of some extra infantrymen and support weapons to complete (see below):

Thankfully I was organised enough to post my WWII Late War British Infantry painting guide instructions to this 'blog' all those years back (2009). Unprecedented foresight on my part!

PS The healthy cycling helmet on the table is not mine ;)